The Burlington Urban Forestry Master Plan 

Burlington is extremely fortunate in having strong support for its urban forest. Consequently, there has been substantial progress in developing planting standards and conducting a comprehensive inventory of the street tree population. Burlington is now in a favorable position to properly manage its urban forest. The Burlington Urban Forestry Master Plan is the guidance mechanism that will assist the city in such an endeavor. 

The Burlington Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP) consists of two documents: The Main Urban Forestry Master Plan Document and a Street Tree Planting Plan 

The UFMP was prepared by the staff of the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department and a private consulting firm was hired to assist in producing the Street Tree Planting Plan. Principal funding for the project came from the USDA Forest Service through the 1998 Ice Storm Recovery Program, which is administered by the Northern Vermont Resource Conservation and Development Council and the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation. All of the grants secured had matching requirements for funds and the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department was responsible for having provided that match.

Purpose of the UFMP

The UFMP provides a comprehensive and multi-objective management plan for Burlington's urban forest, consistent with various industry goals and standards. The Plan recommends methods to manage and care for urban trees and related vegetation on all land within the city limits, both individually and as part of the urban ecosystem. The Plan addresses how the urban forest improves air and water quality, promotes energy efficiency, enhances noise control, improves urban livability and aesthetics, fosters the mental and physical health and well-being of its citizens, and promotes and improves wildlife habitat.

Goals of the UFMP

• Develop an integrated, coordinated approach to the management of the urban forest, which has the support of all concerned organizations, city departments, the business community and citizens, through enhanced communication and volunteerism.
• Ensure that the protection and management of the urban forest are citywide priorities. The urban forest is an essential part of the City's infrastructure.
• Secure stable funding and management resources to maintain and enhance the urban forest.
• Maximize and expand the urban tree canopy and produce a multi-aged and diverse forest.
• Assure that the urban forest is sustainable.
• Carry out the plan using education as the primary means of implementation, incentives as the next, and regulations as the last resort.
• Develop a plan that is socially equitable, providing benefits to all the citizens of the City.
• Develop a plan that is adaptable and responsive to change, providing benchmarks and schedules for implementation.
• Provide various approaches to implementation, involving all aspects of the community in creative alliances and partnerships.  

The Audience

The UFMP is designed for the following audiences:  

The General Public
The plan contains information available to the public about the urban forest: what it is, where it is and the benefits that it provides. 

Private Property Owners and Neighborhood Groups
The plan provides general information about trees and related vegetation as well as specific information on street tree planting and landscaping requirements, and activities in sensitive use and natural areas. The plan also includes an Owner's Manual to assist in tree care. 

Developers
The plan addresses requirements for tree preservation and landscaping, and provides information about the advantages of preplanning and using tree professionals. 

City Departments and Related Agencies
The plan specifies the responsibilities of the various departments that manage different aspects of the urban forest, and the coordination among those departments that is necessary to improve the urban forest.

Key Recommendations

The UFMP makes the following general recommendations: 

1. Inventory and assess the health and condition of the urban forest.
2. Continue to identify planting opportunities and needs; promote and coordinate planting among private property owners, non-profit organizations and the nursery industry.
3. Implement planting and design standards for all areas of the urban forest.
4. Promote maintenance practices that foster the health and safety of the urban forest.Implement a public education program to promote the care, preservation and enhancement of the urban forest.
5. Promote incentive programs to encourage compliance with recommendations that improve the urban forest.
6. Seek adequate funding to effectively manage the urban forest and enforce regulations. 

One element that is common to all of the above recommendations is the need to coordinate the many activities among the various City Departments and groups that affect the urban forest. It will take great commitment and cooperation among all of Burlington's citizens to make today's vision of the urban environment into tomorrow's reality, creating a thriving and sustainable urban forest. To this end, methods to recruit, train and utilize volunteers are described in the plan. This plan also proposes alternate funding possibilities as well as consolidation and improvement of existing services and resources. The result of the city's actions, or of its inactions, will be measured in the years to come. The city's goal is to have a healthy and sustainable urban forest that contributes to the economic and environmental vitality of the city.  

Burlington's Urban Forest in the Year 2010: A Vision for the Future

Burlington's urban forest, a mosaic of planted landscapes and what remains of the native forest, is a reflection of the city's health, well being, and livability. It is an important part of Burlington's character, giving the City a special sense of place. 

The urban forest canopy is cohesive, not fragmented, because development includes trees as part of the total vision for sustainable economic and natural environments. The air and water are cleaner because the trees and plants remove pollution from the air and reduce run-off. Open spaces and urban stream corridors define a sense of space in our communities while providing a quiet respite from hectic urban life. Neighborhoods with tree-lined streets offer shade and protect us from inclement weather. Shoppers frequent shaded business districts where trees help save energy, reduce noise, and soften the hard edges of structures and paved areas. 

Coordinated management of the urban forest occurs because municipal departments, businesses, civic organizations and citizens have formed partnerships to make a place for trees in the City. Citizens recognize that trees are a vital part of the City's infrastructure and ecosystem and therefore provide adequate, stable funding to maintain and enhance the urban forest.